Private beach club: Down with upscale: Bergmann

This film was originally produced by the City of Asbury Park Tourism Office. It was reproduced by the Asbury Park Garden Club and provided to the Press by the Township of Ocean Historical Museum.
CREDIT: City of Asbury Park Tourism office
Austin Bogues | Ryan Ross

What’s wrong with that? For many of our readers, it symbolizes everything that’s wrong with Asbury’s renaissance. It’s snooty, exclusive and essentially kicks sand in the face of those who couldn’t afford the Asbury Ocean Club — basically everyone but the 1 percenters. Or maybe the 2 percenters.

Here's a sample of the reaction on Facebook: Said Floyd Foster: "It absolutely should NOT have a beach club. That isn't Asbury Park. Things are going too far in the name of 'redevelopment.' I am an Asbury Park resident and have been for most of my life. My little town on the shore has been hijacked! It's becoming that touristy town that I was afraid of. It's losing its soul"

Brian David Russo's view? "Not a good idea. The reason my wife and I drive all the way from the Poconos to Asbury Park is because it is open and welcoming to everyone. I guess we will spend our money somewhere else.

MORE READER REACTION:

While the prices for the Asbury Ocean Club haven’t been set, its website asks people seeking more information about the project to select the price range they are seeking. It ranges from “under $1 million” to “5 million+.” For that kind of money, how can you NOT throw in access to a private beach club?

City officials have assured disgruntled locals that while the beach club will be private, the beach in front of it will not be. And the agreement with the city also requires that the club not "impede pedestrian mobility along the boardwalk."

While the developer's agreement does permit a private beach club, it also requires that it receive the necessary approvals, and that it not be built until a public beach club, authorized for the boardwalk between First and Second avenues, also has received approvals. Without it, iStar can't proceed.

That isn't the only way the city could block the private beach club. It also could amend the 2002 developer's agreement, which has been done several times before. To preserve Asbury Park's reputation as a beach town that welcomes everyone, it should renegotiate the beach club provision. And it should do it sooner rather than later. iStar says it will begin selling Asbury Ocean Club units this summer.